How to Cut Porcelain Tile Without a Wet Saw – know the alternatives.

Porcelain tiles are harder and brittle easily; for that reason, wet saws proper water supply on the tile; you can cut it smoothly and cleanly without rough, jagged edges and without chipping off.

But suppose when one doesn’t have access to a wet saw or in the absence of this dedicated tool for the porcelain tile project, you may need alternatives so that you can cut porcelain tile.

Here in this article, I will discuss what alternatives you can use instead of a wet to cut porcelain tile smoothly and cleanly and discuss the process of how to cut porcelain tile without a wet saw.

Wet tile saw Alternative Table

Wet saw alternative tools to cut Porcelain tile

There are different tools available in the market that you can use to cut porcelain tiles, and unlike the wet saw, most of them dry cuts. Though dry cuts in not better for tile cutting.

But with the proper manual and electric tool, diamond and carbide blade, and step-by-step process, one can easily know how to cut porcelain tile, ceramic tile, and granite without a wet tile saw.

Manual tile cutter

A manual tile cutter is also known as a Score and Snap Tile Cutter, and you need a heavy-duty tile cutter to cut porcelain tile. Also, here for porcelain tile, you need a bigger wheel of 18mm or 22mm so that it cuts perfectly.

Let’s learn how to cut porcelain tiles with a manual tile cutter.

Process 

First, measure the dimensions you want to cut, then mark it using a wax pencil so that you know how much you need to cut.

Secondly, place the porcelain tile on the tile cutter metal ridge and line your mark up on each side and check that the scoring wheel is parallel to the line you marked.

Thirdly, if you need some adjustments, then do it and grab the tile from one side.

Fourthly, grabbing the handle, take the scoring wheel back and apply little pressure to move the lever forward on the tile surface until it stops.

Fifthly, place the pressure bar pad and just do a quick snap to divide the tile into two pieces.

Note: If the thicker porcelain tile does not divide on multiple snaps, then place a piece of wood under the tile marked place and use a rubber mallet to apply force to divide it.

Do the same process to score and snap porcelain tiles.

Masonry saw

A masonry saw is a stationary saw that comes with an attached table, and the blade is fixed in one place and has a sliding blade which makes it a great alternative to a wet saw to cut porcelain tile.

There is a dry, and wet version of stationary masonry saw, and the cutting process is the same on both. You should use diamond blades here to ensure precise cutting.

Process

First, measure the dimensions you want to cut, then mark it using a wax pencil so that you know how much you need to cut.

Secondly, place the porcelain tile on the sliding table and, as per the tile thickness, adjust the blade height so that it covers the whole depth on one slide.

Note: if you are wet cutting, then turn on the water supply.

Thirdly, turn on the masonry saw, and when the blade starts rotation, slide the table till the end of the tile. In this way, you can easily cut porcelain tiles.

Note: If you are dry cutting, then slide the table slower. If you slide faster, the porcelain tile may break as it is harder and brittle.

Handheld masonry saw or circular saw or jigsaw or angle grinder

Handheld saws have maximum dry cuts, and it’s hard to have a straight cut as there is no ruler, but by practicing much, you can do it. Also, for cutting porcelain tile, you need a diamond blade or carbide blade so that you get a clean cut.

Process

First, measure the dimensions you want to cut, then mark it using a wax pencil so that you know how much you need to cut.

Secondly, place the porcelain tile above the ground placing blocks under the tile, like placing the marked line between 2 blocks or placing the marked line on the edge of a table.

Note: I suggest you place it between two blocks as sometimes you need to use both hands on the saw, and sometimes you need to put your hand on the tile so that you can cut in the proper way.

Thirdly, use a clamp or hand to grip the tile so that it doesn’t shake or move while cutting.

Fourthly, turn on the handheld tool and slide it slowly on the marked line on the tile until the end to get a straight and clean cut.

This way, you can cut porcelain tile using a handheld masonry saw, circular saw, angle grinder, or jigsaw.

Note: Even you can use Dremel and hole saws to cut porcelain tile instead of a wet saw.

Handheld manual tile cutter or Carbide pencil or tile scribe

Hand-held tools are cheaper, and one can easily use them to cut porcelain tile instead of a wet saw. But the thing is, thicker porcelain tile cutting is harder with these tools. But still, you can cut less thick porcelain tile easily if you cut it with proper pressure.

Process

First, measure the dimensions you want to cut, then mark it using a wax pencil so that you know how much you need to cut.

Secondly, place a flat and straight scale, aligning the marked line on the tile. 

Note: you can use a wire cloth hanger under the tile to keep the tile higher than the surface.

Thirdly, grip the scale tightly with the tile surface and take one of these tools and slide it, aligning with the scale. While sliding, put pressure on the bottom so that it cuts the surface deeper.

Fourthly, place a piece of wood under the tile marked place and use a rubber mallet to apply force to divide it.

In this way, you can cut porcelain tile with a handheld manual tile cutter or Carbide pencil, or tile scribe.

Frequently asked questions

Conclusion

A wet saw is a perfect tool to cut porcelain tile because of its blade and continuous water flow on the blade. But in the absence of this tool or an access problem without any choice, you must use an alternative way to finish the task on time.

I have given you all the possible tools and steps you can use to cut porcelain tile without a wet saw. Now check which one you have access to use. Thank you.